Arizona PIRG - Public Healthhttps://arizonapirg.org/topics/public-health
enWhich stores make the grade for getting toxic chemicals off the shelves?https://arizonapirg.org/blogs/news-briefs/usp/which-stores-make-grade-getting-toxic-chemicals-shelves
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<a href="/blogs/usp/news-briefs">News Briefs</a>
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<div class="field field-name-field-shared-post-date field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2019-01-17T00:00:00-05:00">Thursday, January 17, 2019</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden">
<p><img alt="" class="media-image" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://arizonapirg.org/sites/pirg/files/USP_IKEA-sign_0119_Timothy-Krause-via-Flickr-CC-BY-2.0_1200x675%20%281%29.jpg" /></p>
<p>Out of the 40 largest retailers in North America, 19 lack any public policy to address toxic chemicals in the products found on their shelves. In November 2018, the third "Who’s Minding the Store?" report card graded the chemical policies and practices of these retailers as part of the Safer Chemicals Healthy Families coalition's Mind the Store campaign, which includes U.S. PIRG Education Fund. "When we go to the store, we shouldn't have to worry about toxic chemicals in the products we use every day," stated U.S. PIRG Education Fund's Toxics Campaign Director Kara Cook-Shultz, "Retailers have a major role to play in protecting public health—including eliminating unsafe products from store shelves and adopting public policies addressing toxics." Apple, Target, Walmart and IKEA all received top marks for setting the pace for the industry. Walgreens, Rite Aid and Amazon were ranked "most improved" for announcing sweeping chemical safety policies in the last two months.</p>
<p>How do your favorite stores measure up? <a href="https://retailerreportcard.com//news-release/" target="_blank">Read the full report card here.</a></p>
<p><em>Photo Credit: Timothy Krause via Flickr, CC BY 2.0</em></p>
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<a href="/topics/public-health" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Public Health</a> </li>
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Thu, 17 Jan 2019 23:33:18 +0000kriley70166 at https://arizonapirg.orghttps://arizonapirg.org/blogs/news-briefs/usp/which-stores-make-grade-getting-toxic-chemicals-shelves#commentsNew car seats made without toxic flame-retardant chemicalshttps://arizonapirg.org/news/usp/new-car-seats-made-without-toxic-flame-retardant-chemicals
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For Immediate Release
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<span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2018-12-03T00:00:00-05:00">Monday, December 3, 2018</span>
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<p dir="ltr">Car seats are supposed to keep our youngest children safe. But though they may protect infants and toddlers during accidents, car seats have a history of containing toxic flame-retardant chemicals.</p>
<p dir="ltr">That’s finally changing.</p>
<p>Today, a coalition of groups including U.S. PIRG Education Fund and the Ecology Center’s “Healthy Stuff” program released test results on car seats in a new report, <a href="https://www.ecocenter.org/healthy-stuff/reports/childrens-car-seats-2018"><em>Hidden Hazards: Flame Retardants and PFAS in Children’s Car Seats</em></a>. The authors collaborated with researchers from Indiana University and the University of Notre Dame.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The testing confirmed that three companies now each offer a car seat without added toxic flame-retardant chemicals. Those products are: UPPAbaby MESA -- Jordan and Henry models (infant), Clek Fllo -- Mammoth (convertible), and Nuna PIPA Lite -- Fog (infant). </p>
<p dir="ltr">“It’s great that there are finally safer alternatives available and on the market for parents,” said Kara Cook-Schultz of U.S. PIRG Education Fund. “But we need better standards for all children who are exposed to these chemicals in car seats.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">U.S. PIRG Education Fund is joining public health groups from across the country in a national effort to update the government’s decades-old flame-retardant chemical standards, by publicly calling on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to update its flammability standards, allowing more parents the ability to purchase toxic-free car seats. The government has never fully evaluated the effectiveness of the flammability standard for children’s car seats. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Toxic flame-retardant chemicals used in children’s car seats can harm major systems in the body, including the hormonal, developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune systems. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The Healthy Stuff study tested 18 children’s car seats including infant and convertible models. Eighty-three percent (15) of the seats contained hazardous flame-retardant chemical additives and 50 percent (9) likely contained hazardous PFAS (per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances) chemicals on the fabric. All seats tested were purchased in 2018 and manufactured in 2017 or later. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Manufacturers choose to add PFAS (per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances) because they are stain-resistant, but some manufacturers are now looking at new alternatives to make car seats not only protective from blunt force, but also from dangerous chemicals. </p>
<p dir="ltr">“UPPAbaby developed the first naturally fire-retardant car seat because our passionate consumer base wanted a natural alternative. So, I challenged our R&amp;D team to come up with something that had never been done before,” said Bob Monahan, CEO of UPPAbaby. “I believe that through innovation, businesses can be a driver to provide parents with options and healthier, safer products.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Important note: Child car seats are mandatory safety devices that save lives. Regardless of any chemical concerns, parents should always properly install and use a children’s car seat.</p>
<p dir="ltr"> </p>
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<div class="field field-name-field-term-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden">
<a href="/topics/public-health" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Public Health</a>
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Groups Co-Release New Study With Encouraging Results
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U.S. PIRG Education Fund
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<p dir="ltr">Car seats are supposed to keep our youngest children safe. But though they may protect infants and toddlers during accidents, car seats have a history of containing toxic flame-retardant chemicals.</p>
<p dir="ltr">That’s finally changing.</p>
<p>Today, a coalition of groups including U.S. PIRG Education Fund and the Ecology Center’s “Healthy Stuff” program released test results on car seats in a new report, Hidden Hazards:Flame Retardants and PFAS in Children’s Car Seats. The authors collaborated with researchers from Indiana University and the University of Notre Dame.</p>
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Mon, 03 Dec 2018 18:31:50 +0000kara.cook69271 at https://arizonapirg.orghttps://arizonapirg.org/news/usp/new-car-seats-made-without-toxic-flame-retardant-chemicals#commentsSecond recall of King Bio’s homeopathic drugs in the past monthhttps://arizonapirg.org/news/usp/second-recall-king-bio%E2%80%99s-homeopathic-drugs-past-month
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For Immediate Release
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<span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2018-08-27T00:00:00-04:00">Monday, August 27, 2018</span>
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<div class="field field-name-field-author-bio field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staff/usp/adam-garber">Adam Garber</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden">
<p>PHILADELPHIA, PA -- King Bio Inc. issued the second significant voluntary recall since late July of their homeopathic drugs on Wednesday. This time, it recalled 32 children’s medicines due to possible microbial contamination that could cause life-threatening infections. The market for homeopathic drugs has ballooned over the past decade into a $3 billion industry that is exposing more and more people to health risks associated with the spread of untested products.</p>
<p>On July 20, King Bio issued a nationwide recall after a routine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspection found dangerous microbial contaminants in three products, including baby teething liquids. These recalls follow a January FDA letter to King Bio warning it that all claims about its products health benefits must be supported by scientific evidence. As a result, the Federal Trade Commission has strongly urged King Bio to review its health-related claims.</p>
<p>Safety concerns over homeopathic drugs extend beyond King Bio as over the past several years, the FDA has issued recalls to several companies for a variety of health products from zinc-containing intranasal medicine to asthma drugs with toxic ingredients. </p>
<p>“This latest recall is another reminder that our lax regulation of homeopathic medicine has put our children and our families at risk. We need better mechanisms for ensuring that these products are adequately tested before they hit our store shelves, instead of after,” said Tano Toussaint, Consumer Watchdog Associate for U.S. PIRG. </p>
<p>Since 1988, the FDA has allowed homeopathy companies to distribute and manufacture products without going through the same approval, branding, and purity tests as other drugs. Scott Gottleib, the commissioner of the FDA, said “products labeled as homeopathic have not been reviewed by the #FDA for safety and effectiveness.” In December of 2017, the FDA strengthened its enforcement of homeopathics, saying it would take a “risk-based approach” to regulation and pull products deemed unsafe off the market, whether they have been approved or not. However, the FDA admits that some homeopathic products may slip through the cracks. Beyond that, the agency lacks a consistent enforcement mechanism for recalling unsafe products. </p>
<p>With its updated policy, the FDA has put King Bio and the homeopathic drug industry under heightened scrutiny. However, given how ubiquitous and dangerous these products can be, the FDA needs to step up and increase enforcement and standards for homeopathic medicines. </p>
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<div class="field field-name-field-term-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden">
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<a href="/topics/public-health" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Public Health</a> </div>
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<a href="/topics/consumer-protection" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Consumer Protection</a> </div>
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<a href="/topics/health-care" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Health Care</a> </div>
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Homeopathic drugs regularly slip through FDA process
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U.S. PIRG
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<p>King Bio Inc. issued the second significant voluntary recall since late July of their homeopathic drugs on Wednesday. Safety concerns over homeopathic drugs extend beyond King Bio as over the past several years, the FDA has issued recalls to several companies for a variety of health products from zinc-containing intranasal medicine to asthma drugs with toxic ingredients. </p>
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Mon, 27 Aug 2018 13:32:14 +0000agarber67156 at https://arizonapirg.orghttps://arizonapirg.org/news/usp/second-recall-king-bio%E2%80%99s-homeopathic-drugs-past-month#commentsU.S. PIRG statement on $289 million verdict against RoundUphttps://arizonapirg.org/news/usp/us-pirg-statement-289-million-verdict-against-roundup
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For Immediate Release
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<span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2018-08-11T00:00:00-04:00">Saturday, August 11, 2018</span>
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<p>Today, a jury ruled against the chemical company Monsanto, awarding $289 million in damages to Dewayne Johnson, a former school groundskeeper who said he got terminal cancer from Monsanto’s best-selling weedkiller Roundup.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Faye Park, President of U.S. PIRG, which has mounted a multi-year <a href="https://uspirg.org/issues/usp/ban-roundup">campaign to ban Roundup</a>, issued the following statement:</p>
<p dir="ltr"></p>
<p dir="ltr">“We've been asking Monsanto to take proper responsibility for its product for years. We've been asking the EPA to step in where Monsanto hasn't been willing to. We're heartened that this jury took this opportunity to step in where they both have failed. </p>
<p dir="ltr"></p>
<p dir="ltr">“This is not only a victory for Dewayne Johnson, but also for consumers everywhere.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) said the key ingredient in Roundup, glyphosate, is "probably carcinogenic to humans.”</p>
<p dir="ltr"></p>
<p dir="ltr">“Even with this finding against Monsanto, Roundup is still the most prevalent agrichemical in use -- from our neighborhood lawns to huge industrial farms. It's a probable carcinogen that most of us come into contact with every day. </p>
<p dir="ltr"></p>
<p dir="ltr">“Now is the time for the federal government to finally take action to help save the health of the next Dewayne Johnson.”</p>
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<div class="field field-name-field-term-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden">
<a href="/topics/public-health" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Public Health</a>
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U.S. PIRG
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<p>Today, a jury ruled against the chemical company Monsanto, awarding $289 million in damages to Dewayne Johnson, a former school groundskeeper who said he got terminal cancer from Monsanto’s best-selling weedkiller Roundup.</p>
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Sat, 11 Aug 2018 00:08:37 +0000tparker66716 at https://arizonapirg.orghttps://arizonapirg.org/news/usp/us-pirg-statement-289-million-verdict-against-roundup#commentsSafer School Supplies: Shopping Guidehttps://arizonapirg.org/reports/azp/safer-school-supplies-shopping-guide
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<img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://arizonapirg.org/sites/pirg/files/styles/report-image/public/reports/images/AZP.PNG?itok=swK00Tpp" width="200" height="260" />
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Released by:
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Arizona PIRG Education Fund
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Release date:
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<span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2018-08-07T00:00:00-04:00">Tuesday, August 7, 2018</span>
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<span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="PDF icon" title="application/pdf" src="/modules/file/icons/application-pdf.png" /> <a href="https://arizonapirg.org/sites/pirg/files/reports/AZP_Toxics-report_Fall2018_PRINTv1a.pdf" type="application/pdf; length=5821512">AZP_Toxics-report_Fall2018_PRINTv1a.pdf</a></span>
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<p>With this Safer School Supplies: Shopping Guide, parents, teachers, and students can make more informed decisions while shopping for school supplies this Back to School season. We want to give parents and teachers the option to choose school supplies that do not contain toxic chemicals. This Shopping Guide should serve as a handy tool for finding products free of several types of toxic chemicals.</p>
<p>We conducted laboratory tests for toxic chemicals in popular school supplies. Researchertested markers (washable and dry-erase), crayons, glue (liquid and sticks), spiral notebooks, rulers, 3-ring binders, lunchboxes, and water bottles for toxic chemicals such as lead, asbestos, phthalates, BTEX compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene), and bisphenol-A (BPA). We purchased the supplies from across the country at a wide variety of stores including big box stores, dollar stores, drug stores, online retailers, and arts and crafts stores.</p>
<p>Among the school supplies surveyed, we found Playskool crayons from Dollar Tree that contained asbestos, a 3-ring binder from Dollar Tree that contained high levels of phthalates, a dry-erase markers containing benzene, and we highlight two water bottles that have been recalled due to high levels of lead.</p>
<p>This guide not only lists the potentially dangerous school supplies that we found and why and how the school supplies can harm students, but also lists the school supplies that tested negative for chemicals of concern.</p>
<p>The presence of toxic hazards in school supplies highlights the need for constant vigilance on the part of government agencies and the public to ensure that school supplies containing toxic chemicals are removed from store shelves.</p>
<p>Arizona PIRG Education Fund staff sent 27 school supplies to an independent laboratory to test for chemicals of concern. The problems we found include:</p>
<p>* Crayons. We tested six types of crayons for asbestos and one tested positive for tremolite: Playskool crayons (36 count) that we purchased at Dollar Tree. We tested the green color crayon. Asbestos is a known carcinogen and can lead to serious health conditions, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Pictures of the tremolite fibers taken from the laboratory are included in Appendix A.</p>
<p>* 3-ring binders. We tested three 3-ring binders for phthalates, and one tested positive for phthalates: Jot-brand blue binder from Dollar Tree contained 240,000 parts per million (ppm) DEHP, and 8,000 ppm DINP. Research has documented the potential damage of exposure to phthalates at crucial stages of development. Studies have linked phthalates to asthma, childhood obesity and lower IQ scores.</p>
<p>* Water bottles. We tested two water bottles, both of which tested negative for the presence of lead. Two products reviewed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have been recalled for high levels of lead.</p>
<p>* Markers. We tested two brands of washable markers for BTEX compounds that tested negative. We tested two types of dry-erase markers for benzene and phthalates, which tested negative for phthalates. One tested positive for benzene. Benzene is a probable carcinogen linked to dangerous disruptions in sexual reproduction, liver and kidney function and immune system functioning.</p>
<p>We have the following recommendations:</p>
<p>* Dollar Tree and Playskool should recall the asbestos-tainted crayons and remove them from store shelves. They should also contact customers to warn them about the crayons.</p>
<p>* Dollar Tree and Jot should recall the 3-ring binder that contained high levels of phthalates and remove them from store shelves. They should also contact customers to warn them about the binders.</p>
<p>* The Board Dudes and Amazon should recall their dry-erase markers that contain benzene and remove them from store shelves.</p>
<p>* Policymakers should maintain the CPSC's funding and authorities to protect the public and mandate the CPSC to regularly test more children's products for toxic chemicals.</p>
<p>* Parents and teachers should look for the AP label posted on items by the Art &amp; Creative Materials Institute ("ACMI"). For items not certified by the ACMI, parents should look for a manufacturer's label certifying that the product meets CPSC guidelines for children.</p>
<p>* Parents should demand that manufacturers without a label start carrying a label, and that the products meet the safety guidelines.</p>
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Consumer Guide for Finding Non-Toxic School Supplies
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Mon, 06 Aug 2018 18:06:13 +0000dev66476 at https://arizonapirg.orghttps://arizonapirg.org/reports/azp/safer-school-supplies-shopping-guide#commentsU.S. judge allows Monsanto’s Roundup cancer lawsuit to go to trial, victims will be heard in courthttps://arizonapirg.org/news/usp/us-judge-allows-monsanto%E2%80%99s-roundup-cancer-lawsuit-go-trial-victims-will-be-heard-court
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For Immediate Release
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<span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2018-07-10T00:00:00-04:00">Tuesday, July 10, 2018</span>
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<p dir="ltr"></p>
<p dir="ltr"><img alt="" class="media-image" height="180" width="180" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://arizonapirg.org/sites/pirg/files/styles/square_thumbnail/public/roundup_1.jpg?itok=bEaI2Kl_" /></p>
<p dir="ltr">SAN FRANCISCO: Today, a federal judge found sufficient evidence to move to trial hundreds of lawsuits alleging that Monsanto Co.’s glyphosate-containing weed-killer Roundup causes cancer.</p>
<p dir="ltr"></p>
<p dir="ltr">More than 400 farmers, landscapers, and consumers, whose lawsuits have been consolidated before the Northern California federal district court in San Francisco, allege that Monsanto’s weed-killer caused them to develop non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a blood cell cancer.</p>
<p dir="ltr"></p>
<p dir="ltr">In response, Kara Cook-Schultz, U.S. PIRG’s Ban Roundup director, released this statement:</p>
<p dir="ltr"></p>
<p dir="ltr">“Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is the most widely-used agricultural chemical in the U.S. Millions of people regularly use Roundup in their backyards, and it’s commonly sprayed on our food and in areas where kids play and learn, including public parks, school playgrounds and sports fields. In fact, the victim in one of the cases before the court, Dewayne Johnson, is a school groundskeeper. </p>
<p dir="ltr"></p>
<p dir="ltr">“The plaintiffs in this case have shown the judge that the ingredients in Roundup carry a risk, and that there is enough evidence of that risk for the cases to go to trial. Victims deserve their day in court, so this is a major victory for hundreds of people who believe that Monsanto’s Roundup caused them to develop cancer.”</p>
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<a href="/topics/public-health" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Public Health</a>
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U.S. PIRG
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<p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="180" width="180" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://arizonapirg.org/sites/pirg/files/styles/square_thumbnail/public/roundup_0.jpg?itok=1pF83PGd" /></p>
<p>Federal judge found sufficient evidence to move to trial hundreds of lawsuits alleging that Monsanto Co.’s glyphosate-containing weed-killer Roundup causes cancer.</p>
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Tue, 10 Jul 2018 20:59:32 +0000kara.cook66201 at https://arizonapirg.orghttps://arizonapirg.org/news/usp/us-judge-allows-monsanto%E2%80%99s-roundup-cancer-lawsuit-go-trial-victims-will-be-heard-court#commentsJohnson & Johnson commits to disclose fragrance ingredients in baby products by August 1https://arizonapirg.org/news/usp/johnson-johnson-commits-disclose-fragrance-ingredients-baby-products-august-1
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<span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2018-07-05T00:00:00-04:00">Thursday, July 5, 2018</span>
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<p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="180" width="180" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://arizonapirg.org/sites/pirg/files/styles/square_thumbnail/public/disclose%20fragrance%20ingredients%20photo%20petition_1.png?itok=KXQy3zSv" /></p>
<p>We applaud Johnson &amp; Johnson (J&amp;J), the manufacturer of many personal care products, for its commitment yesterday to disclose fragrance ingredients in its baby products. Parents deserve to know what ingredients exist in the products they are applying to their babies’ bodies every day, because babies are especially vulnerable to chemical exposure from personal care products.</p>
<p>J&amp;J <a href="https://chemicalwatch.com/68261/jj-to-reveal-fragrance-ingredients-in-its-babycare-products">said</a> it intends to disclose 100 percent of the ingredients in its babycare products next month. The transparency effort will be rolled out as part of a relaunch of its babycare range on August 1, 2018.</p>
<p>However, J&amp;J needs to do more. It is lagging behind its competitors <a href="https://uspirg.org/news/usp/statement-unilever-starting-disclose-fragrances-smartlabel">Unilever</a> and <a href="https://uspirg.org/news/usp/statement-pg%E2%80%99s-consumer-product-fragrance-disclosure-announcement">Procter &amp; Gamble</a> by failing to commit to disclose fragrance ingredients in adult products as well. J&amp;J manufactures <a href="https://www.jnj.com/healthcare-products/consumer">numerous</a> adult brands such as Aveeno, Clean &amp; Clear and Neutrogena.</p>
<p>The ingredient “fragrance” or “parfum” refers to a mixture of scent chemicals and ingredients that companies are not required to disclose. Approximately 3,000 chemicals, some of which have been linked to cancer, reproductive and respiratory problems, and allergies, can be used to make fragrance.</p>
<p>This change in company policy is another clear sign that the cosmetics industry is listening to the public, and it’s about time. Another major company, L’Oreal, also recently announced it will disclose fragrance ingredients. Policymakers need to take note and mandate fragrance disclosure for all consumer products.</p>
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<a href="/topics/public-health" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Public Health</a>
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Yet the consumer giant fails to make similar commitment for adults’ products
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U.S. PIRG
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<p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="180" width="180" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://arizonapirg.org/sites/pirg/files/styles/square_thumbnail/public/disclose%20fragrance%20ingredients%20photo%20petition_0.png?itok=DxwnaA_r" /></p>
<p>J&amp;J <a href="https://chemicalwatch.com/68261/jj-to-reveal-fragrance-ingredients-in-its-babycare-products">said</a> it intends to disclose 100 percent of the ingredients in its babycare products next month.</p>
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Thu, 05 Jul 2018 22:37:10 +0000kara.cook66156 at https://arizonapirg.orghttps://arizonapirg.org/news/usp/johnson-johnson-commits-disclose-fragrance-ingredients-baby-products-august-1#commentsSenate Passes Bipartisan Farm Bill Free of Anti-Sustainability Amendmentshttps://arizonapirg.org/news/usp/senate-passes-bipartisan-farm-bill-free-anti-sustainability-amendments
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For Immediate Release
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<span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2018-06-28T00:00:00-04:00">Thursday, June 28, 2018</span>
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<p dir="ltr">WASHINGTON - This afternoon, the U.S. Senate passed a Farm Bill free of several anti-sustainability and anti-health provisions that were included in the House version, by a vote of 86 to 11. Kara Cook-Schultz, U.S. PIRG Toxics Director, issued the following joint statement with Bart Johnsen-Harris, Clean Water Advocate for Environment America:</p>
<p dir="ltr">“We cannot grow healthy food without clean water and proper stewardship of our land. Today, the Senate recognized that fact by passing a Farm Bill free of attacks on core public health and environmental protections. We congratulate Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) for their hard work to keep the Senate version of the Farm Bill clean. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Overall, the Senate bill is a good starting point from which to strengthen and expand sustainable agriculture, though stronger environmental provisions should be included in future versions of the Farm Bill. Although the Senate maintains overall funding for conservation programs in the Bill, it does not significantly increase funding for sustainability, and it cuts some crucial funds to expand other programs.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Senate leadership wisely kept proposals off the final bill that would have exempted pesticide pollution from the Clean Water Act; pesticides have contributed to more than 1,800 instances of water pollution across the country. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Unfortunately, the House version of the Farm Bill was loaded with these and other attacks on the environment, including:</p>
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<p dir="ltr">Pre-empting state and local laws aimed at health and environmental impacts of factory farms; </p>
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<p dir="ltr">Severely undermining vital bedrock environmental laws including the Clean Water Act; </p>
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<p dir="ltr">Eliminating the Conservation Stewardship Program, the nation's largest land conservation program in terms of acreage.</p>
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</ul><p dir="ltr">Poisoning our water and land to grow our food makes no sense. As Congress works to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the Farm Bill, we urge lawmakers to give us a final package that eschews attacks on public health and promotes sustainable agriculture.”</p>
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U.S. PIRG
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<p>We cannot grow healthy food without clean water and proper stewardship of our land. Today, the Senate recognized that fact by passing a Farm Bill free of attacks on core public health and environmental protections. We congratulate Senate members for their hard work to keep the Senate version of the Farm Bill clean. </p>
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Thu, 28 Jun 2018 22:26:44 +0000kara.cook66116 at https://arizonapirg.orghttps://arizonapirg.org/news/usp/senate-passes-bipartisan-farm-bill-free-anti-sustainability-amendments#commentsCongress Should Reject Pesticide-Laden Farm Billhttps://arizonapirg.org/news/usp/congress-should-reject-pesticide-laden-farm-bill
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For Immediate Release
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<span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2018-06-21T00:00:00-04:00">Thursday, June 21, 2018</span>
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<p><strong>WASHINGTON</strong> – This afternoon, a Farm Bill (H.R. 2) loaded with anti-health provisions is back for a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives. The House previously rejected H.R. 2 by a vote of 198 to 213. Today, Congress again considers a dirty Farm Bill that would undermine protections for clean water, sustainable farming, and our health. More specifically, H.R. 2 would:</p>
<ul><li>Exempt pesticide pollution from the Clean Water Act, even though pesticides have contributed to more than 1,800 instances of water pollution across the country. </li>
<li>Eliminate the Conservation Stewardship Program, the nation's largest conservation program by acreage, a program that promotes sustainable farming and good soil health.</li>
<li>Pre-empt state and local laws aimed at health and environmental impacts of factory farms.</li>
<li>Eliminate public input and sustainable impact considerations for a wide range of activities on public lands.</li>
</ul><p>The bill would allow large agrochemical companies to dump toxic pesticides and chemicals into our rivers, lakes and drinking water. It would have also undermined efforts by farmers who want to produce healthier food with fewer chemicals. </p>
<p>Farmers such as Iowa native Seth Watkins want to farm their land sustainably, safeguarding the land for future generations. Mr. Watkins said, “I just want us to stop subsidizing the wrong things.”</p>
<p>Poisoning our water and land to grow our food makes no sense. Congress should reject this dirty Farm Bill start over with legislation that promotes both healthy food and clean water. So far, the Senate Farm Bill offers the nation a far better path than H.R. 2. </p>
<p>According to Kara Cook, Toxics Director at U.S. PIRG, “We don't need to poison our water and land to grow our food. We’re calling on Congress to continue to reject these bad policies. It is time to start over with a Farm Bill that promotes healthy food, healthy people and healthy farms.”</p>
<p><em>U.S. PIRG is an advocate for the public interest, working to win concrete results on real problems that affect millions of lives, and standing up for the public against powerful interests when they push the other way.</em></p>
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<a href="/topics/food" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Food</a> </div>
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“Americans deserve healthy food, healthy water, and healthy air. We need a Farm Bill that promotes sustainable farming, not one that subsidizes water pollution and increased pesticide spraying.”
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U.S. PIRG
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<p>Today, Congress again considers a dirty Farm Bill that would undermine protections for clean water, sustainable farming, and our health.</p>
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Thu, 21 Jun 2018 15:56:09 +0000kara.cook65811 at https://arizonapirg.orghttps://arizonapirg.org/news/usp/congress-should-reject-pesticide-laden-farm-bill#commentsToxic triclosan in toothpaste?https://arizonapirg.org/blogs/blog/usf/toxic-triclosan-toothpaste-0
<div class="field field-name-field-shared-post-date field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2018-06-15T00:00:00-04:00">Friday, June 15, 2018</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden">
<p>A <a href="http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-triclosan-cancer-risk-20180531-story.html">recent article</a> in the LA Times revealed that a new study found that the toxic compound triclosan, which is commonly found in toothpaste as well as other consumer products such as cosmetics, children’s toys, and yoga mats, “could cause adverse effects on colonic inflammation and colon cancer.”</p>
<p>The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found triclosan to be not generally recognized as safe for antiseptic products, and ordered a ban on triclosan in soaps and hand sanitizers in 2016. We use soap on our hands--but toothpaste goes in our mouths. The FDA still allows the harmful compound to be used in toothpaste and the EPA hasn’t taken action to get rid of triclosan in other consumer goods. The compound is also used in paint, carpeting, and kitchenware.</p>
<p>The good news? Major consumer product giant Procter &amp; Gamble (P&amp;G), the maker of Crest and Oral-B toothpastes announced that it has phased out the use triclosan in its products. Other toothpaste manufacturers are doing the same thing. But not all are getting rid of triclosan, and a lot of people don’t even know what triclosan is, let alone know to check to see if their toothpaste has triclosan in it. When many popular toothpaste brands are already taking the initiative to remove the toxic compound from their products, the FDA needs to step up and take action to ban its use in ALL toothpaste to protect our public health.</p>
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Fri, 15 Jun 2018 17:11:19 +0000dev65751 at https://arizonapirg.orghttps://arizonapirg.org/blogs/blog/usf/toxic-triclosan-toothpaste-0#comments